Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency: Incorporating DSA and VOSA
The following information is provided as a quick reference guide to the most common problems
encountered at the roadside by DVSA and the Police.
Driving Licences and CPC requirements.
Categories and Sub-Categories of Vehicle for Licensing Purposes and Applicable Minimum Ages
for Driving
Category or
sub-
category
Description of Vehicle
and Minimum Driver Ages)
Additional categories
and sub-categories
A
A1
Motor bicycles
(Age 17: up to 25kW (33bhp) and a power to weight
ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg. Also, motorcycle
combination with a power to weight ratio not exceeding
0.16kW/kg.
Age 21 or 2 years from the date of passing the standard
Category A test: any size motorcycle with or without a
sidecar))
a sub-category of category A comprising learner motor
bicycles.
(Age 17: Light motorcycles with a cc not exceeding 125cc and a
power not exceeding 11kW (14.6 bhp).
B1, K and P
P
B
(or)
B Automatic
Motor vehicles, other than vehicles included in category
A, F, K or P, having a maximum authorised mass not
exceeding 3500 kgs. and not more than eight seats in
addition to the driver's seat, including:
F, K and P
B+E
Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the
towing vehicle is in category B, but the combination
does not fall within that category. (Age: 17)
See Note at end of table.
None
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Category or
sub-category
Description of Vehicle
and Minimum Driver Ages)
Additional categories
and sub-categories
B1
A sub-category of category B comprising motor vehicles
having three or four wheels and an unladen weight not
exceeding 550 kgs. (Including Motor Tricycles and
Quad Bikes)
(Age 17 or 16 if currently in receipt of Disability Living
Allowance at the higher rate (mobility component))
K and P
F
Agricultural or forestry tractors, including any such
vehicle drawing a trailer but excluding any motor vehicle
included in category H.
(Age 17 but 16 for tractors less than 2.45m wide. This
must only pull trailers less than 2.45m wide with two
wheels or four close coupled).
K
H
Track-laying vehicles steered by their tracks.
(Aged 21)
None
Note: - From 16 December 2021
Drivers who passed their car driving test from 1 January 1997 are now allowed to tow trailers up to
3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) without passing an additional car and trailer test.
Although the law on who can tow a trailer has changed, their responsibilities have not, so we’re
reminding everyone that whatever they’re towing, make it SAFE:
Service – has it been serviced recently?
Air in tyres – check pressure, tread depth and condition.
Fit the breakaway cable or safety chain and check electrical connections.
Examine lights, mirrors, load and weight limit, and do the jockey wheel test.
DVLA will update affected driving licence records to reflect the changes.
The car and trailer category (B+E) will be added to the driving licence when a new photocard
driving licence is issued. Go to www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence - enter driving licence number,
national insurance number and post code on your driving licence to ensure that Category B+E has
been added as an entitlement before you tow a trailer.
Remember a 16 year can hold a Provisional Driving Licence for Category F vehicles – You can
only drive the vehicle on a public road with ‘L’ Plates displayed to and from your driving test. If
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there is a passenger seat fitted, then you must have a suitably qualified driver in that seat – over
21 and held the appropriate licence for at least three years.
Quad Bikes
If you hold a Cat B driving licence you may be covered, check you may not be entitled to drive. Go
to www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence - enter driving licence number, national insurance number and
post code on your driving licence and you will see your entitlements.
Crash Helmets - Are not required on Quad bikes under Road Traffic Legislation but HSE say that
you must wear one where it is being used in connection with work.
16-year-old – Is there a weight restriction for tractor/trailer combination? – No there is not
What Class of DL do you need to drive?
Material/Telehandler/Forklift
Combine
Self-Propelled Sprayer
Self-Propelled Forage Harvester
You need Category B but be aware that as the vehicle is not classed as an agricultural tractor
there are weight restrictions. These are as follows
a) If it is 3.5 tonnes or under – must be at least 17 years
b) If it is between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes – must be at least 18 years
c) If it is over 7.5 tonnes – must be at least 21 years
What Class of DL do you need to drive any of the above vehicles with any trailer? – B + E – Again
be aware that as the vehicle is not classed as an agricultural tractor then the above weight
restrictions apply.
Driver CPC
You do not need Driver CPC if you’re driving for someone you work for, or your own agriculture,
horticulture, forestry, farming or fisheries business, as long as driving is less than 30% of your
rolling monthly work.
A driver who has a category D1 driving licence and drives a minibus (category D1) with a ‘101 - not
for hire or reward’ and is employed by the farm and transports the farm’s own labourers between
fields, using public roads.
They need Driver CPC as the driver is not transporting goods.
Remember that if you are stopped and checked by police/DVSA and you are driving without a valid
CPC Driver Qualification card you will be reported for consideration of prosecution.
If stopped and checked by DVSA and you fail to produce evidence of CPC Driver Qualification a
fixed penalty of £50 could be issued.
Weights
1. Maximum permissible weight for tractor trailer combination - Gross Train Weight (GTW) is
31,000 kgs. Trailer maximum weight is still 18.29 tonnes.
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2. Remember axle weights – There should be a manufacturer’s plate on trailer giving
maximum permissible axle weights and gross weight for that trailer.
Vehicle Excise – Vehicle still needs to be taxed even if rate is zero – you must still apply.
Remember no tax disc will be issued. Check at https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax
Operators Licences
Generally, they are not required for agricultural tractors, however if you use a tractor GVW
exceeding 3500 kgs to haul goods for someone else, carries produce of that farm or estate more
than 15 miles, or carries produce for someone else unless part of harvesting operation – then you
need an operator’s licence.
Dangerous Goods
If you have a diesel bowser to carry fuel to fields, do you fall within the ADR rules? If the bowser
can carry less than 1000 litres, then you are exempt. The bowser must have a manufacturer’s plate
confirming that the maximum capacity is less than 1000 litres to be exempt. However, you will
need to carry a 2 kg fire extinguisher readily accessible on the vehicle and the driver will need
some form of awareness training. The bowser also needs a type-approval plate which must state
the maximum capacity and serial number. The bowser also needs to be marked on both sides and
the rear see below.
You are exempt from ADR if using an agricultural tractor that does not travel at a speed in excess
of 40km/h when transporting dangerous goods or any trailer being towed by such a vehicle.
Remember if using a pickup or Land Rover then full ADR would apply if the bowser exceeds
1000 litres capacity.
EAC
UN Number
Class Label
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Tachographs – drivers hours rules if applicable.
If you use a tractor/large goods vehicle you will be exempt in the following circumstances: -
1. Any vehicle which is being used by an agricultural undertaking to carry goods within a
100km radius of the place where the vehicle is normally based.
2. Any vehicle being used to carry animal waste or carcasses not intended for human
consumption
3. Any vehicle which is being used to carry live animals between farm and a local market or
from a market to a local slaughterhouse within 100 km radius of the place where the vehicle
is normally based.
4. Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors used for agricultural or forestry activities within a
100 km radius from the base of the undertaking that owns, hires or leases the tractor.
Load Security
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can the load move forward or rearwards?
2. Can the load move or topple of the side?
3. Is the load held on by friction alone?
4. Is the securing equipment in good order?
5. Have all employees been trained in safe loading and securing methods?
Ensure that any load is adequately secured under normal driving conditions and all securing
equipment is in good condition at all times and is included in any maintenance procedures.
Refer to the above matrix for guidance
Maintenance – max 25mph
Remember, the main speed for distinguishing between legislation conditions is 25mph.
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Once the vehicle combination is observed to be driven over this speed then full Construction & Use
regulations apply. This is the most common omission found at the roadside when dealing with
defects and operator opinion.
Coupling/ Towing Hitch
• Maximum clearance of 10mm at tip of hook.
• Wear on eye - thickness of towing hitch must not be less than 30mm.
Check for cracks and damage in this area.
Brake system and requirements
Vehicle combinations driven greater than 25mph require the following systems:
Service Brake: 2- line fail-safe hydraulic brakes or full commercial air braking system.
Park Brake: Must operate on at least 2 wheels with mechanical system, i.e.: ratchet and pawl.
Vehicle combinations driven less than 25 mph requires:
Service Brake: Efficient brake system with brakes operating on at least ½ the road wheels.
Park Brake: Must operate on at least 2 wheels.
Remember:
Every part of the brake system and means of operation must be maintained in a good and efficient
working order and be properly adjusted.
Tyres
If the vehicle combination is driven at speeds greater than 25mph, then full HGV standards apply.
Less than 25mph, the tyres must be free of any dangerous defects which may result in failure of
the tyre, or which could cause damage to persons in or on the vehicle or the road surface. (HGV
standards regarding Bulges, cuts and inflation apply)
Relevant legislation – The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
state that you must maintain any work equipment you provide in a safe condition for use, and have
it inspected to ensure that this remains the case and ensure that the operator has had sufficient
training.
All equipment and plant should be maintained in good working order, good repair and regularly
checked. Failure to do this may result in the driver/operator or owner of the equipment being
prosecuted.
Whilst the items above are not intended to be an exhaustive list, it is thought that by referring to
these points during normal farming operations then the likelihood of prosecution is greatly reduced.
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Projections and Lighting
Max length of vehicle – 12 metres
Max Length tractor and one trailer – 18.75 metres.
Maximum width – 2.55 metres.
Side projection in excess of 305mm must be marked with marker boards/tape.
Length – projections
1. 1 – 2 metres Projections must be made visible from end and both sides.
Sharp projections must be guarded
Lights required at night and poor visibility.
2. 2 – 3 metres End Marker boards fitted
3. 3 – 5 metres rearward} End and side marker boards fitted
3 – 4.5 metres front} Notification to Police over 4 metres
Lights required at night and poor visibility.
Remember, always remove, or make safe forward or rearward projections including forklift tines. If
stopped the driver and/or the operator may be prosecuted.
Wide/Long Loads
Vehicle movements concerning wide or long loads are administered by Police Scotland, Abnormal
Loads Team, Glenrothes
If your vehicle exceeds
• 3 metres wide and/or
• Projection exceeds 4 metres to front/rear and
• Is travelling more than 5 miles and/or
• There is a speed limit on road of 40mph or less.
You must give 2 days’ notice to each Police Force you are travelling through.
• An Agricultural Dispensation may be issued for vehicles up to 4.1 meters wide
• Vehicles operating within 20-mile radius of operating base and in Police Scotland area of
responsibility
• Will last for 12 months – Continuation must be applied for at least 2 weeks prior to end of
existing dispensation
• An attendant is required for all vehicles exceeding 3.5 metres wide
• A Dispensation can be revoked if not being used for specified purposes or failure to comply
with regulations
• Sub-contractors must have own Dispensation
Any vehicle out-with the terms of dispensation must have movement order from Police.
Further information can be found at
www.gov.uk – Driving and Transport section and Business and Self-Employed.
www.hse.gov.uk – Farmwise (HSG270) Guidance relevant to everybody working on farms.
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Specialist guides – Useful Links
Towing small trailers:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/quick-guide-to-
towing-small-trailers
Horsebox and trailer owners:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-
horsebox-and-trailer-owners
Driver CPC
Driver CPC for lorry, bus and coach:
www.gov.uk/driver-certificate-of-professional-
competence-cpc/overview
Driving licence categories:
Large vehicles you can drive on a car
licence
www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uplo
ads/system/uploads/attachment data/file/561552/inf52-
large-vehicles-you-can-drive-using-yuor-car-or-lorry-
licence.pdf
Driver’s hours, tachographs, working time, and overloading
Drivers' hours and tachographs –
goods vehicles:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/rules-on-drivers-
hours-and-tachographs-goods-vehicles-in-gb
Avoid overloading - the basics:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/hgv-overloading-
the-basics
Safety inspections, maintenance and testing
Guide to maintaining roadworthiness:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-
maintaining-roadworthiness
HGV driver walkaround poster:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/heavy-good-
vehicle-drivers-daily-walkaround-check
Load Security:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/load-
securing-vehicle-operator-guidance/load-securing-
vehicle-operator-guidance